The lab was opened by Frenchman Pascal Chatonnet, a wine enthusiast and vineyard operator, specifically to measure the quality and purity of wine.

"Even though the individual molecules were below threshold levels of toxicity," Chatonnet told Decanter.com, "there is a worrying lack of research into the accumulation effect, and how the molecules interact with each other."

The study was the first to find any compelling evidence that a Mediterranean diet can reduce the risks of heart disease. Experts have previously been skeptical that the effects of a diet could be measured reliably, especially because many people already take medications that impact their disease risk.

A Mediterranean diet is rich in olive oil, nuts, beans, fish, fruit and vegetables. Its virtues have been heralded many times before; a recent study found that it was the best option for people with diabetes.